CERU South Kensington
London
Be sure to book in advance, especially on weekends, as it's a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
CERU South Kensington captures the essence of the vibrant Eastern Mediterranean with a delightful menu inspired by the rich culinary traditions of Cyprus, Syria, and Lebanon. Located at 7-9 Bute Street in South Kensington, London, this cozy neighborhood restaurant is characterized by its warm interior, adorned with bright Mediterranean colors and fabrics. For those who enjoy dining outdoors, a small, heated terrace offers al fresco seating when the weather permits.
This popular spot is perfectly situated for a meal after visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum, Natural History Museum, or the Science Museum. Just minutes from the South Kensington Tube Station, CERU South Kensington serves both locals and tourists seeking flavorful, authentic experiences. The restaurant's vibrant small plates, driven by over 20 spices and nearly 100 ingredients, are designed to be shared, encouraging a convivial dining style.
While CERU's offerings are health-conscious with mostly gluten-free options, the menu remains indulgent, appealing to those who delight in bold and zesty flavors. Guests can enjoy the fusion of tastes through dishes made to be enjoyed in a social setting, with a recommendation of three dishes per person. The restaurant's drinks menu includes cocktails, wines from the Eastern Mediterranean, and freshly made lemonades, complementing the culinary offerings.
Open daily for both lunch and dinner, CERU also serves a special brunch menu exclusively on weekends. The cozy ambience and eclectic menu make it a perfect setting for dining with friends or family. For those unable to secure a table in South Kensington, CERU also has locations in Hyde Park and Farringdon, ensuring diners have a seamless alternative option within London.
Reviews
Ceru is a cute and welcoming spot with a fantastic atmosphere. There were so many dishes on the menu that it was hard to choose, so we were glad to be a group of five and got to try a wide variety. Everything we ordered was delicious, but the standout dishes were the apple salad and the grilled octopus—both were absolutely outstanding. We also tried a Turkish white wine, which paired beautifully with the meal. The staff were friendly and attentive, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. Highly recommend Ceru to anyone looking to try delicious Mediterranean and Greek-inspired food!
We had amazing early dinner at CERU South Ken. The food was flavourful and delicious and arrived to our table in good time. Staff were very friendly and attentive and helped us to order as it was our first time here. We had the Houmous with fresh pita bread, Stick Roasted Baby Aubergines, Zucchini and Feta Fritters, Lamb Shoulder, Shish Taouk and Spice Roasted Potatoes. And for drinks we had Orange and Ginger Mocktail and Sirocco Mocktail and a Ginger Beer. I would definitely come back again and try more food.
Excellent all round. Great service, simple but delicious food. Good value. The standout dishes were the Watermelon & Toasted Feta salad and the Pan Fried Tenderstem® Broccoli with toasted almonds, spring onions and tahini. The chicken (Shish Taouk) was also excellent, as were the Houmous, Fadi and Hamara. Pick the ‘Three in One’ option to get enough dips for 2 to share.
Exploring London on our first ever visit, we found CERU and popped in for a late lunch. The 4 stars on Atmosphere are because my silly self tripped coming in and going out on the step up/down at the entrance. Otherwise, the ambiance was warm, quietly upscale but cozy. Even the bathrooms were delightfully decorated. The hostess served us as the restaurant was quiet and was super helpful with details and suggestions. We ordered the CERU Hamada and Fadi with the fresh Greek pita. Neither disappointed; personally loved the tanginess of the Hamada more than the earthy Fadi. The pita... not one piece left and the menu let you know you could order more for certain price. Our other two dishes were the Shaved Fennel, Pear and Orange Salad. If you are a fennel lover, this is a must. The salad was generous enough for us to share, light and easy to eat and had just enough dressing to not overwhelm. Our final dish was the Lamb Shoulder Signature Dish with a side of Orez Ceru (rice). Signature for a reason for sure. Etiquette aside, I poured the last of the juice from the lamb over my Orez Ceru. We rounded this out with one glass of Assyrtiko. Perfect early afternoon meal which we then walked off for sure!
The owner was incredibly kind and welcoming. The place was quite busy when we arrived and he initially asked us to wait, but once he found out that we had tickets for a show, he quickly managed to find us a small table so we wouldn’t be late. The food was truly excellent. The dishes are designed to be shared and feature Mediterranean flavors that feel creative and carefully crafted—definitely not the usual, predictable combinations. You can really tell there is research and thought behind the ingredients and pairings. Most of the menu is vegetarian or vegan, and precisely for this reason the flavors are even more unusual and surprising. Everything is also gluten-free, which makes the experience even more impressive without compromising on taste. We ordered three dishes each and, even though the concept is sharing, it was more than enough to leave us completely satisfied. Overall, a great experience with delicious food and very thoughtful service.
